Temperature Controlled Beverage Caddy

ABSTRACT

A temperature controlled beverage caddy may be configured for organizing, transporting and serving a plurality of beverage containers containing a plurality of beverages to a customer. The caddy may include a base tray holding the plurality of beverage containers containing the plurality of beverages, a temperature pack placed within the base tray, a cover attached to the temperature pack by way of a spacer and/or a plurality of markers positioned on a top surface of the base tray to identify the plurality of beverages. The base tray, the temperature pack and the cover may be arranged in a way to provide a unified structure to the caddy so as to allow the customer to easily access the plurality of beverages in a temperature controlled condition. The unified structure allows the caddy to be easily organized, stored and carried by a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/741,468 filed on Jul. 20, 2012, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/743,703 filed on Sep. 8, 2012, both of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Beverage flights usually include various types and quantities ofbeverages that are offered at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, parties,etc. A customer may order a beverage flight in order to taste differentvarieties of a beverage. For example, a customer at a restaurant mayorder a beer flight in order to taste a sampling of the various type ofbeer that the restaurant has to offer. Beverage caddies may be used toprovide the beverage flight and offer an enhanced drinking experience tothe customer since they simultaneously serve multiple beveragecontainers. However, conventional beverage caddies have considerabledrawbacks. For example, conventional beverage caddies do not have thefacility to maintain the beverage in a chilled or warmed condition.Additionally, conventional beverage caddies do not adequately provideidentification for each beverage located on the beverage caddy.Furthermore, conventional beverage caddies do not include a cover forprotecting the beverage glasses and are difficult to transport, cleanand store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items or features.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example temperaturecontrolled beverage caddy for holding glasses.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of another exampletemperature controlled beverage caddy.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an example temperature controlledbeverage caddy with a plurality of markers having quick response codes.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate top and bottom perspective views of anexample base tray.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate top and bottom perspective views of anexample temperature pack.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate top and bottom perspective views of anexample cover.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another example temperaturecontrolled beverage caddy for holding glasses.

FIG. 8 a front view of the temperature controlled beverage caddy of FIG.7.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate perspective views of an example temperaturepack used in the caddy illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example temperature controlled caddy with aremovable cover.

FIG. 11 illustrates an expanded view of the removable cover shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates manipulation of the removable cover for storage inthe example temperature controlled caddy of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates a storage position of the removable cover of thetemperature controlled caddy of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an example temperaturecontrolled beverage caddy with a removable spacer.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of an example temperaturecontrolled beverage caddy without a base tray and with tallertemperature pack.

FIG. 16 illustrates another example temperature controlled caddy with aplurality of removable temperature packs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure describes, in part, a temperature controlled beveragecaddy designed for organizing, transporting and serving a plurality ofbeverage containers to a customer. Furthermore, the temperaturecontrolled beverage caddy is designed to maintain the plurality ofbeverages at a desired temperature (i.e., keep cold drinks cold and hotdrinks hot).

The temperature controlled beverage caddy may comprise a base tray forholding a plurality of beverage containers. In one implementation, thebase tray may be configured to hold one or more temperature packs (i.e.,cold or hot pack) within the base tray to maintain the temperature ofthe plurality of beverage containers. In some implementations, the basetray may be configured to hold ice in order to maintain the plurality ofbeverages in a chilled condition. In addition, in some implementations,the caddy may comprise a detachable caddy cover coupled to the one ormore temperature packs or base tray by way of a spacer. The caddy covermay be configured to hold food and/or protect the plurality of beveragesfrom temperature loss due to the sun and/or precipitation.

Furthermore, in some implementations, the base tray may comprise aplurality of markers corresponding to each of the plurality of beverageson the caddy and positioned on a top surface of the base tray foridentification of the beverage and/or beverage information. In someimplementations, the plurality markers for displaying beverageinformation may be placed in a slot in front of each of the plurality ofbeverage containers so that the customer can easily identify eachbeverage.

In some implementations, the base tray, the one or more temperaturepacks and the caddy cover are arranged in a way to provide a unifiedstructure to the temperature controlled beverage caddy so as to allowthe customer to easily access the plurality of beverage containers heldin a temperature controlled condition.

In some implementations, the base tray comprises a single temperaturepack having a plurality of recessed areas that correspond with recessedareas on the base tray for securing the plurality of beverage containerscontaining the plurality of beverages. The temperature pack may alsoseparate the plurality of beverage containers held within the base tray.In some implementations, the temperature pack includes a recessed holefor locking into a stub of the base tray to firmly hold the temperaturepack in place. In some implementations, the temperature pack includes acentral attachment point for joining the spacer and, in someimplementations, the caddy cover.

In another implementation, the base tray comprises a plurality oftemperature packs where each of the plurality of temperature packs areconfigured to hold a beverage container. In some implementation, each ofthe plurality of temperature packs may be individually removed from thebase tray. In this implementation, the plurality of temperature packsforms a recessed hole at the center of the base tray for locking into astub of the base tray to firmly hold the plurality of beveragecontainers while allowing attachment of the caddy cover to the basetray.

In some implementations, the caddy cover may be configured to attach tothe base tray by way of the spacer. The spacer may act as an extensionto couple the caddy cover to the base tray.

In some implementations, the base tray and/or the caddy cover may beconfigured with multiple locations for the placement of one or moredecals and/or stickers (e.g., advertisement decals, productdescriptions, etc.).

In some implementations, the temperature controlled beverage caddy maybe assembled in the following manner. Initially, the one or moretemperature packs are placed within the base tray. As mentioned above,the plurality of beverage containers may be then held between theplurality of recessed areas of the temperature pack and the base tray.The base tray provides support for the bottom of the plurality ofbeverage containers. The caddy cover is then attached to the spacer andthe spacer is locked into the stub of the base tray through the recessedhole of the one or more temperature packs. The stub receives the spacerextending from the caddy cover which may hold the one or moretemperature packs in position. In some implementations, the caddy coveris configured to removably fasten to the spacer in order to firmly holdthe caddy cover in an upright position.

The implementations of a temperature controlled beverage caddy describedin this disclosure provide an easy-to-use beverage holder that servesthe plurality of beverage containers simultaneously to the customer.Further, each caddy would provide an enhanced drinking experience to thecustomer by maintaining the temperature of each beverage contained inthe caddy while also allowing the customer to easily identifyinformation associated with each of the plurality of beverages.Additionally, the unified structure of the caddy allows the caddy to beeasily organized, stored and carried by a user.

The temperature controlled beverage caddy may be implemented in manyways. Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description. Exampleimplementations are provided below with reference to the figures.

Example Temperature Controlled Beverage Caddy with Unified TemperaturePack

FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of a temperature controlled beveragecaddy 100 (hereinafter, “caddy”) including a base tray 102 and cover104. The caddy 100 is designed for organizing, transporting and servinga plurality of beverage containers 106(1)-(5) containing a plurality ofbeverages 108(1)-(5) to a customer. The beverage containers 106(1)-(5)may include one or more glasses (i.e., 16 fluid ounce beer pint glasses,8 or 12 fluid ounce high ball glasses), one or more mugs, bottles, cans(i.e. steel and/or aluminum), or the like. The plurality of beverages108(1)-(5) may include one or more of beer, wine, cocktails, softdrinks, fruit juice, water, coffee, hot chocolate, or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, caddy 100 includes a base tray 102 for holdingthe plurality of beverage containers 106(1)-(5), a unified temperaturepack 110 placed within the base tray 102, a cover 104 attached to thetemperature pack 110 by way of a spacer 112, a plurality of markers114(1)-(5) positioned on a top surface of the base tray 102. The basetray 102, the temperature pack 110 and the cover 104 are arranged in away to provide a unified structure to the caddy 100 so as to allow thecustomer to easily access the plurality of beverage containers106(1)-(5) while each beverage 108(1)-(5) is kept near a desiredtemperature.

The temperature pack 110 is adaptable to maintain the plurality ofbeverage 108(1)-(5) in a desired condition. Temperature pack 110 (andany other temperature pack described below) may include one or morethermal elements to maintain a desired temperature. The thermal elementmay be reusable or single use. In some implementations, the thermalelement may be a liquid or gel comprising at least one of water,alcohol, coated silica, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium acetate, calciumchloride, magnesium sulfate, and/or other salts. In one implementation,the temperature pack may be designed to store in the freezer thusfreezing the thermal element while not in use and when placed on thecaddy may maintain the plurality of beverages 108(1)-(5) in a chilledcondition (i.e., at or below 55° F.). However, in anotherimplementation, the temperature pack may be warmed by running it throughthe microwave or placing it in boiling water, etc. thus heating thethermal element within the temperature pack. In such an implementation,the temperature pack may maintain the plurality of beverages 108(1)-(5)in a warmed condition (i.e., near or above 155° F.). The temperaturepack 110 separates the plurality of beverage containers 106(1)-(5) heldwithin the base tray 102.

The cover 104 acts as a covering for the plurality of beverage container106(1)-(5). In some implementations, the cover 104 may provide alocation for the placement of food items. For example, cover 104 isshown as a substantially flat disc which could hold a pizza, forexample. In other implementations, the cover 104 may be configured witha flange or lip located around the edge of the cover. In yet otherimplementations, the cover 104 may be configured as described in any ofthe other implementations describe below.

FIG. 1 illustrates spacer 112 connecting the cover 104 to thetemperature pack 110. In other implementations, the spacer 112 mayconnect the cover 104 to the base tray 102 while passing through acentral hole on the temperature pack 110. In some implementations, thespacer 112 may be secured to either the cover 104, temperature pack 110,and/or base tray 102 by a form fitting where the spacer may firmly slideonto a stub on either the cover 104, temperature pack 110, and/or basetray 102. In some implementations, the spacer may be locked into placeby a pin. In some implementations, the spacer 112 may act as a handle tocarry the caddy 100.

The plurality of markers 114(1)-(5) may be located to correspond to eachof the beverage containers 106(1)-(5) held within the base tray 102.Each of the plurality of marker 114(1)-(5) may be adaptable to displayinformation beverage within the corresponding beverage container. Insome implementations, each of the plurality of markers 114(1)-(5) mayinclude an area on which the information of the types of beverage can bewritten. In other implementations, each of the plurality of markers114(1)-(5) could be pre-printed with beverage information. In yetanother implementation, each of the plurality of markers 114(1)-(5) mayinclude a machine/device recognizable code (e.g., a bar code or a QuickResponse Code (“QR code”)). In some implementations, a user may scan thecode with a device to obtain information about the correspondingbeverage. Markers 114(1)-(5) are illustrated as comprising a shapesimilar to a poker chip (i.e., circular); however, each of the pluralityof markers may comprise any number of other shapes (i.e., square,triangle, octagon, or the like). Markers 114(1)-(5) may indentify thename of the beverage, the origin of the beverage, characteristic aboutthe beverage, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the plurality ofmarkers 114(1)-(5) are positioned in a corresponding slot in front ofeach of the plurality of beverage containers 106(1)-(5) so that thecustomer can easily identify information associated with each of theplurality of beverages 108(1)-(5) within.

The base tray 102 and cover 104 may include multiple locations forapplying multiple decals, sticker or the like. For example, anadvertising decal may be place at location 116 on base tray 102.Furthermore, base tray 102, cover 104 and spacer 112 may be composed ofmachine washable, durable, food-grade plastic (i.e., polyethyleneterephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, lowdensity polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polycarbonate). Insome implementations, the base tray may comprise two or more wheels,bearings, or other hardware which would allow the caddy to spin on itsy-axis. This may allow a user to access each of the plurality ofbeverage container within the caddy without lifting the caddy orsubstantially repositioning the user's body.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of caddy 200. Asillustrated, a cover 202 is attached to a temperature pack 204 by way ofa spacer 206. As described above, the spacer 206 may act as an extensionto extend the cover 202 to the temperature pack 204. The temperaturepack 204 includes a plurality of recessed areas 208 for holding theplurality of beverage containers (not pictured). Each of the pluralityof recessed areas 208 may be designed to hold each of the plurality ofbeverage containers. In some implementations, a base tray 210 may have acorresponding plurality of recessed areas 212 to correspond with each ofthe recessed areas 208 on the temperature pack 204. Such recessed areas208 and 212 may be configured as generally circular to interact with agenerally circular beverage container. However, in otherimplementations, described below, the base tray may be configuredwithout the plurality of recessed area 212.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the caddy 200 may be assembled in thefollowing manner; however, the order of these steps may occur in anotherorder and are not intended to be limiting. Initially, the temperaturepack 204 may be placed in the base tray 210. Next, the spacer 206 may beattached to an attachment point 214 on the temperature pack 204. Thecover 202 may then be attached to the spacer 206, which extendsvertically from the temperature pack 204. The cover 202 includes asecuring means 216 that inserts into the spacer 206 to firmly hold thecover 202 in an upright position. As described above, the cover 202 maybe positioned in such a way that it provides covering for the pluralityof beverage containers. In some implementations, the cover 202 may beuse to provide a location for the placement of food items.

In some implementations, each of a plurality of markers 218(1)-(N) maybe place in slot 220(1)-(N) on base tray 210.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example caddy 300. As illustrated,caddy 300 includes a plurality of markers 302(1)-(5) locatedsubstantially in front of each of a plurality of beverage containers304(1)-(5). In some implementations, the plurality of markers mayinclude a machine/device recognizable code (e.g., a barcode, QR code,image recognition, Radio-frequency identification (RFID), near fieldcommunication (NFC), or the like). As illustrated in FIG. 3, a QR codemay be imprinted on each of the plurality of markers 304(1)-(5). In someimplementations, a user may scan the QR code with a mobile device suchas a smart phone or tablet computing device in order to obtaininformation about the beverage located in the beverage containercorresponding to the marker. For example, a user may order a beersampler where the caddy 300 may have five different beers in five 8fluid ounce sampler glasses. In this example, the caddy 300 would havefive markers placed near the five glasses where each of the markers maybe removed by a user so the user can scan the QR code on the marker toobtain information about the beer in the glass. The information aboutthe beer may include the brewer, the location of the brewery, the typeof beer, the percentage of alcohol, the International Bittering Unitsvalue (IBU), type of hops used in the brewing process, or the like. Inother implementations, each of the plurality of markers may have thebeverage information permanently or removably imprinted directly on eachmarker.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate top and bottom perspective views of anexample base tray 400. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, base tray 400 includesan inner surface 402 and a stub 404 for securing a temperature pack (notshown). The temperature pack includes a recessed hole for locking intothe stub 404 (as shown below with regard to FIG. 5B) which secures thetemperature pack into correct position within the base tray 400. In someimplementations, one or more decals can be applied to the space 406provided on a peripheral surface of the base tray 400. Decals can beadvertisements or labels related to the plurality of beverages and/orbeverage containers. FIG. 4A illustrates a plurality locations408(1)-(A) on the top surface of the base tray 400 configured to holdthe plurality of markers which displays information about the beverageto the customer.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the base tray 400 illustrated inFIG. 4A of the present invention. A bottom surface of the base tray 400containing a bottom portion of the stub 404 is illustrated. The basetray 400 can be used in homes, restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, resorts,catering, cruise liners, flights, trains, picnics, amusement and themeparks to serve any types of liquids.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate top and bottom perspective views of atemperature pack 500. The temperature pack 500 may be configured toseparately hold a plurality of beverage containers within a plurality ofrecessed areas 502(1)-(5). A top surface 504 of the temperature pack 500may be slopped to provide a three dimensional shaped structure to thetemperature pack 500. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the temperature pack500 may include a protrusion 506 configured to removably couple thespacer. FIG. 5B illustrates that the temperature pack 500 may be includea recessed hole 508 configured to lock into the stub 404 of the basetray 400 so that the beverage containers will be easily organized andstored in the caddy. The temperature pack 500 helps to maintain thebeverages and beverage containers in either a chilled or warmedcondition to provide an enhanced drinking experience to the customer.Bottom surface 510 of the temperature pack 500 may be configured to restwithin the inner surface 402 of the base tray 400. In someimplementations, the temperature pack 500 may be adaptable to holdwater, gels and any kind of liquid. Temperature pack 500 may bereusable.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate top and bottom perspective views of the cover600. The cover 600 may be designed in the form of an umbrella so that itprovides a covering for the plurality of beverage container placedwithin the caddy. A top surface 602 of the cover 600 may also designedto provide a place to display decals for advertising. In yet anotherimplementation, the top surface 602 of the cover 600 may be configuredto hold food. For example, cover 600 may be configured to hold a basketwhich contains food. As shown in FIG. 6B, a bottom surface 604 of thecover 600 is illustrated. The bottom surface 604 of the cover 600includes the securing means 606 that inserts into a spacer to firmlyhold the cover 600 in position. As described above, the spacer acts asan extension piece to attach the temperature pack. As mentioned above,cover 600 may be capable of holding any tray that hold several kinds ofitems comprising, but not limited to: food, decorations, lights,cameras, menus, plates & baskets, candles, music devices, ornaments.

Alternative Examples of Temperature Controlled Beverage Caddies Caddyfor Pint Glasses

FIGS. 7 and 8 is an illustrative example of a caddy 700 configured tohold pint sized beverage containers. As illustrated and described abovewith regard to FIGS. 1-4 and 6, caddy 700 includes a base tray 702,spacer 704 and cover 706. Caddy 700 also includes a temperature pack 708as described above; however, the temperature pack 708 is configured withfour cavities for securing four 16 fluid ounce pint beverage containers710(1)-(4). In some implementations, the spacer 704 may be longer thanthe spacer described with regard to FIG. 1 in order to accommodate thegreater height of the pint sized beverage containers 710(1)-(4).Furthermore, caddy 700 includes a plurality of markers 712(1)-(4) foridentifying information about each beverage within the four 16 ouncepint beverage containers 710(1)-(4).

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a top and bottom perspective view of atemperature pack 900 for use with caddy 700. The temperature pack 900may be configured to separately hold a plurality of beverage containerswithin a plurality of cavities 902(1)-(4). A top surface 904 of thetemperature pack 900 may be slopped to provide a three dimensionalshaped structure to the temperature pack 900. As illustrated in FIG. 9A,the temperature pack 900 may include a protrusion 906 configured toremovably couple the spacer. FIG. 9B illustrates that the temperaturepack 900 may be include a recessed hole 908 configured to lock into astub of a corresponding base tray so that the beverage containers willbe easily organized and stored in the caddy 700. The temperature pack900 helps to maintain the beverages and beverage containers in either achilled or warmed condition to provide an enhanced drinking experienceto the customer. Temperature pack 900 may have a greater height in orderto have more surface area of the temperature pack 900 in contact withthe taller pint sized beverage containers. Bottom surface 910 of thetemperature pack 900 may be configured to rest within an inner surfaceof a base tray. In some implementations, the temperature pack 900 may beadaptable to hold water, gels and any kind of liquid. Temperature pack900 may be reusable.

Caddy with Storable Cover

FIG. 10 is an illustrative example of a caddy 1000 with a storable cover1002. Similar to the implementations described above, caddy 1000includes a base tray 1004, temperature pack 1006 and spacer 1008. Caddy1000 is shown containing a pint sized beverage container; however, inother implementations, caddy 1000 may contain any of the other beveragecontainers mentioned above. FIG. 10 illustrates cover 1002 as aplurality of protrusions 1010(1)-(6) extending from a central portion1012 coupled to a top surface of spacer 1008. FIG. 10 illustrated sixprotrusions; however, other implementations may include a greater orlesser number of protrusions. While the cover 1002 is attached to thetop surface of the spacer 1008 it may provide a location for theplacement of various food items. For example, baskets, trays, or thelike.

FIG. 11 illustrates the plurality of protrusions 1010(1)-(6) of cover1002 in greater details. As shown, each of the plurality of protrusions1010(1)-(6) is attached to spring mechanism within the central portion1100(1)-(6). When a user manipulates a protrusion by placing a load onthe spring mechanism, the spring mechanism is configured to allow themanipulated protrusion to fold in one direction and about 90°. Whenthere is no load placed on the spring mechanism, each of the pluralityof protrusion are configured to remain extended and ready for placementon the top surface of the spacer.

FIG. 12 illustrates that cover 1002 may be detached from the top surfaceof spacer 1008. Furthermore, FIG. 12 illustrates that the cover 1002 maybe manipulated to removably fit or store within the top portion ofspacer 1008. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 11,a user may place a load on each of the spring mechanisms attaching eachof the plurality of protrusions to the central portion of the cover thusfolding each protrusion downwards 90°. In some implementations, onceeach of the plurality of protrusions is folded downwards 90° the cover1002 may slide into a hollow top portion of spacer 1008. FIG. 13illustrates caddy 1000 with the stored cover 1002 within the top portionof the spacer 1008.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example implementation where spacer 1008 may beremoved from temperature pack 1006. As shown, temperature pack 1006 mayinclude a protuberance 1400 with one or more pins 1402. The protuberance1400 and one or more pins 1402 are configured to interact with a hollowbottom portion 1404 of spacer 1008 that includes an opening 1406 forreceiving the one or more pins 1402. In this implementation, the spacer1008 may be secured to the caddy 1000 by aligning the opening 1406 ofspacer 1008 with the one or more pins 1402. Next, the protuberance 1400may be placed into the hollow bottom portion of spacer 1008. Finally,the spacer 1008 may be rotated in order for the one or more pins 1402 toprevent the spacer 1008 and temperature pack 1006 from separating.

Caddy with Taller Temperature Pack and without a Base Tray

FIG. 15 illustrates another implementation of a temperature controlledbeverage caddy 1500. In this implementation, the caddy 1500 may beconfigured with taller or deeper temperature pack 1502. As describedabove, the temperature pack 1502 may have a plurality of recessed areasor cavities configured to hold a beverage container. As illustrated inFIG. 15, each of the recessed areas is deeper as a result of the tallertemperature pack. Furthermore, the base tray as described with referenceto the figures above is not required to help secure the beveragecontainer; however, in some implementations, caddy 1500 may beimplemented with a base tray as described above.

FIG. 15 is illustrated without a spacer, cover or markers; however, itis envisioned that the caddy 1500 may be implemented with a spacer,cover and/or markers as described above with reference the figures.

Caddy with Individual, Removable Temperature Packs

FIG. 16 illustrates another implementation of a temperature controlledbeverage caddy 1600. In this implementation, the caddy 1600 may includemultiple individual temperature packs 1602(1)-(4) that may be removablyfrom the base tray 1604 of the caddy. FIG. 16 illustrates caddy 1600 ashaving 4 individual temperature packs; however, in some implementations,the base tray may be fitted with a greater or lesser number oftemperature packs.

In some implementations, each temperature pack 1602(1)-(4) may have arecessed area or cavity configured to hold a beverage container1606(1)-(4). Also, each temperature pack 1602(1)-(4) may also contain athermal element that may maintain a beverage within the beveragecontainer 1606(1)-(4) at or near a desired temperature. In someimplementations, the thermal element of each temperature pack1602(1)-(4) may be configured to maintain the beverage within thebeverage containers at different temperatures (e.g., one hot beverage,two cold beverages, and one room temperature beverage). Temperaturepacks 1602(1)-(4) and the thermal elements therein may be implemented inany other manner as described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, each of the individual temperature packs maybe held into place by the base tray 1604. In some implementations, eachtemperature pack 1602(1)-(4) may be configured to interlock with atongue and groove system, snap fit, molded threads, press fit system, orthe like.

In some implementations, caddy 1600 may be implemented with a spacer, acover and/or a plurality of markers as described above.

Conclusion

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features, it is to be understood that the subject matterdefined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thespecific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features andacts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage caddy comprising: a base traycomprising: a temperature pack, the temperature pack comprising athermal element configured to maintain a temperature of a plurality ofbeverage containers; and a cover configured to attach to the temperaturepack by a spacer; and a plurality of markers on the base tray eachmarker including identifying information associated with one or morebeverages in the plurality of beverage containers.
 2. The beverage caddyas recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of beverage containers thatthe temperature pack is configured to hold comprises at least one of: aglass, a mug, a bottle or a can.
 3. The beverage caddy as recited inclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of beverage containers contains adifferent beverage.
 4. The beverage caddy as recited in claim 1, whereinthe temperature pack is configured to maintain the plurality of beveragecontainers in a cool state or a warm state.
 5. The beverage caddy asrecited in claim 1, wherein the cover is removably attached to thetemperature pack and includes a food placement platform.
 6. The beveragecaddy as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of markerscomprises a device recognizable code.
 7. An apparatus for maintaining aplurality of beverages near a desired temperature, the apparatuscomprising: a temperature pack comprising: a thermal element configuredto maintain a temperature of multiple beverage containers; and aplurality of recessed areas, each recessed area for holding one of themultiple beverage containers; a base tray for holding the temperaturepack; and one or more markers positioned on the base tray in front ofeach of the plurality of recessed areas in the temperature pack andconfigured to identify one or more features of each the plurality ofbeverages within the multiple beverage containers.
 8. The apparatus asrecited in claim 7, the temperature pack is further configured tomaintain each of the plurality of beverages in a cool or warm state. 9.The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of recessedareas on temperature pack are further configured to correspond to arecessed area on the base tray.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7,wherein the base tray further comprises a central stub configured tohold the temperature pack in position.
 11. The apparatus as recited inclaim 7, wherein the one or more markers comprises one or more discseach having a different imprinted quick response (QR) code thatcorresponds to information about each of the plurality of beverageswithin the multiple beverage containers.
 12. The apparatus as recited inclaim 7, further comprising: a removable spacer coupled to a centralprotuberance of the temperature pack; and a removable cover coupled to atop surface of the spacer.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12,wherein the removable cover provides a food placement area and shade forthe multiple beverage containers within the temperature pack.
 14. Atemperature controlled caddy comprising: a temperature pack configuredto maintain a plurality of beverage containers at or near an initialtemperature; a spacer having a first end and a second end, wherein hefirst end is removably coupled to the temperature pack; and a coverconfigured to removably couple to and store in the second end of thespacer.
 15. The temperature controlled caddy as recited in claim 14,wherein the initial temperature of the plurality of beverages is at orbelow 55° F. or at or above 155° F.
 16. The temperature controlled caddyas recited in claim 14, wherein the plurality of beverage containerscomprises at least one of: one or more glasses, one or more mugs, one ormore bottles or one or more cans
 17. The temperature controlled caddy asrecited in claim 14, the cover further comprises: a central portion; aplurality of protrusions extending from the central portion; and aplurality of spring mechanisms configured to hold the plurality ofprotrusions in a position relative to the central portion.
 18. Thetemperature controlled caddy as recited in claim 14, further comprisinga base tray configured to hold the temperature pack and comprising aplurality of wheels for spinning the caddy.
 19. The temperaturecontrolled caddy as recited in claim 14, further comprising a pluralityof markers, wherein each of the plurality of markers corresponds to eachof the plurality of beverage containers and identifies one or morecharacteristics of a beverage within each of the plurality of beveragecontainers.
 20. The temperature controlled caddy as recited in claim 19,wherein the plurality of markers comprises a quick response (QR) code.